The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 470

HO.MILETI CS. Vcrs. 1-12.-Honour to the dead and insult to the living. The facts are-l- Samuel rlies, and is buried at Ramah amidst the sorro\v of Israel. 2. David, ret11rn- ing to the wilderness, sends a greeting to Nabal, a wealthy man at Carmel, anrl asks for some favour to his young men on account of the friendly aid recently rendered to Nabal's shepherds. 3. Nabal, in a churlish spirit, sends an insulting reply, and refuses the request. 4. \Vherenpon David resolves on taking revenge for the insult. The allusion here to the death of Samuel, while a necessary part of the history of the age, seems to be introduced to prepare the way for the continuance of the nar- rative concerning David, who now has become the principal figure in the national life. We have to consider the teaching of the good man's cleatli and the churlish man's insult. Honour to tlie dead. The various points brought out in the brief reference are, the brevity of the notice compared with the length of service, the ground of the public homage, the loss and gain to Israel, the extent of influence revealed, and the temporary subsidence of party conflicts. Formulating the truths thus suggested, ';I"()' see- I. That THE SCANTY REFERENCE IN THE BIBLE TO THE PERSON.~L WORK AND DEATH OF GoD's BEST SERVANTS is in instructive CONTRAST WITH THE RECORDS CONCERNING CHRIST. Samuel's life was long and immensely useful to the world by the reform- ation wrought in Israel by the force of his character, and the preparation made for prophetic teaching and stable government. A holier and more devoted man was not found, and yet one verse tells ns all about his death and burial. The same reticence is true concerning Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and indeed all the most distinguished of men. They during life spoke little of themselves, and referred little to their an- cestors. The apostles also live, labour, and die, and no stress is laid on their work and death, a circumstance in keeping with the self-abnegation which never made themselves prominent objects of faith. The contrast with Christ is impressive. He is all and everything. His self-reference is perfect egotism if he be a mere human being ordained only in higher degree than others to execute a Divine purpose. The exaltation of his name, work, and death by the apostles is most natural and har- monious with the silence of the Bible in relation to all others if he be really Divine. The question of his personality cannot be settled by mere verbal discussions. Broad facts must be considered, and these clearly determine the verbal sense where exegetes may be supposed to differ. This kind of argument appeals to the common sense of men, and accords also with the instinct of the Christian heart to worship Christ. II. That THE HONOUR PAID TO THE DEAD, so far as referred to in Scripture, is TRAT . DUE TO HOLY CHARACTER AND SERVICE, The allusion here and elsewhere to a proper homage to the dead is clearly associated with the holy life and conduct previously recorded in the sacred narrative. There is a singular silence in the Bible with respect to any honours paid to men, on account of the greatness supposed to consist in warlike !lxploits. True greatness lies in good abilities being pervaded by a spirit of piety, and consequently consecrated to the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth. The value of a man's life is to be sought in the contribution he makes to the spirihrnl impulse by which the world is brought nearer to God. The supreme honours often paid to mere titular rank, to wealth, to military prowess, and even to bare learning, are expressive of a human judgment which is discounted by the language of the Bi' 'e, and will be reversed when, adjudged by the lofty standard of Christ, every man shall receive according to the deeds done in the body. III. That THE DEATH OF TRULY GOOD MEN is both a LOSS AND A GAIN TO THE WORLD. Israel properly mourned because the "godly man" failed, for the activity and  ,so 'l'HE FIRS'l' BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cu. XXV. 1-44.